PGH medical director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi gave the Sandiganbayan Third Division clear grounds to send Martin Romualdez to jail after dismantling several health claims raised by the disgraced former Speaker’s camp.
Testifying before the court, Legaspi said Romualdez—facing a non‑bailable ₱7.4‑billion plunder charge while clinging to hospital confinement—is medically fit to be discharged at any time.
Romualdez’s lawyers tried to justify his hospital stay by citing Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hypothyroidism, depressive disorder, anxiety, and other illnesses, even asking for up to six more weeks of detention in a private hospital.
But Legaspi told the Sandiganbayan Romualdez’s condition is clinically stable, with low risk of an impending heart attack based on independent evaluation. He stressed confinement for his cardiac problem is not medically required.
Legaspi added chronic coronary syndrome remains present but unstable angina was ruled out. He confirmed Romualdez has major depressive disorder and anxiety needing psychiatric treatment, but not hospital admission—since he shows no grave instability, can manage basic self‑care, and poses no suicidal risk.
Romualdez’s Type 2 diabetes and hypertension are controlled but require monitoring. He was also found to have sleep apnea, for which Legaspi recommended a CPAP machine. Meanwhile, his hypothyroidism has been managed.
Legaspi’s testimony delivers a crushing blow to Romualdez’s medical defense and validates warnings from doctors nationwide against weaponizing the medical profession as a shield to delay or escape accountability.
Following Legaspi’s testimony, the Sandiganbayan ordered Romualdez’s transfer from PGH to the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas—a decision that marks victory for millions of Filipinos who suffered from ghost projects, substandard flood‑control works, and floods that devastated millions.
It also marks another triumph for Peanut Gallery Media Network’s relentless exposés, now in their 12th straight week, racking up over 250 million views across more than 2,042 posts—cementing the most viral anti‑corruption campaign ever waged against a single figure in Philippine social media history. Even as Romualdez scrambled to fight back with more than 80 lawsuits, the barrage only grew louder. And now, the master plunderer is finally headed to jail.
